suffer

(transitive) to undergo or experience (anything): to suffer a change of management

3.

(intransitive) to be set at a disadvantage: this author suffers in translation

4.

to be prepared to endure (pain, death, etc): he suffers for the cause of freedom

5.

(transitive) (archaic) to permit (someone to do something): suffer the little children to come unto me

6.

suffer from

to be ill with, esp recurrently

to be given to: he suffers from a tendency to exaggerate

Derived Forms

sufferer, noun

Usage note

It is better to avoid using the words suffer and sufferer in relation to chronic illness or disability. They may be considered demeaning and disempowering. Suitable alternative are have, experience, be diagnosed with

Word Origin

C13: from Old French soffrir, from Latin sufferre, from sub- + ferre to bear

Replaced Old English þolian, þrowian. Meaning "to meekly submit to hardship" is from late 13c. That of "to undergo" (distress, suffering, etc.) is mid-14c. Meaning "to tolerate, allow" something to occur or continue is recorded from mid-13c. Related: Suffered; suffering.